TOPIC: TRANSPO BOARD MEETING

November 20, 2017, Transpo HQ

Pictures: Transpo is a PLATINUM LEED Certified Building!

* Approved previous minutes
* Finance & Adminstration Standing Committee
     There has been a 25% increase in fees
     Passed / Approved the 2018 Budget
     Adjustment made to the pension plan
     Tax Anticipation Warrant was passed

* Grants & Planning Committee - Cancelled
* Operations Committee - Cancelled

* Operations Report - Director Allen 
     One route had a 4.99% decrease in ridership while others increased as much as 8%
     3 Preventable Accidents
     2 Unpreventable Accidents

* Finance Report - Controller Kubaszak
     Multiple routes were in the red for the year 
        FTA -$155K for the month  -$638K for the year
        Passenger Routes - $31K for the month, -$121,623.19 for the year

* Human Resources Report - Manager Davis
      4 are signed up for the new training
      2 additional positions became open
      At the time of the Budget Presentation, 20 positions were open
      89 Union employees now
      Employee Open House on 11//30/17 from 9 am - 6 pm

* Maintenance Report - Director Warmoth
      Blowers and Plows are ready for the winter season
      There is still one truck of salt leftover from last season
      40 Inspections were done

* Marketing Report - Director Hill
     1 Press Release was made about the Holidays
     ND Home Game saw a 40% increase in ridership
     No Field Trips are scheduled
     Planning to make the website more mobile friendly

* Administration Report - General Manager Cangany
     He enjoyed the Workshops in Orlando with the other City employees
     There are some vacations of offices at the South Street Station and renovation is needed 
     Tenants complained there is not enough parking for them at the location
     1,200 Additional people rode on the Saturday Game Days

* Resolution 41-2017 - October Capital Improvement Fund $94,040.50

* Resolution 42-2017 - October Payroll and Transportation Funds - 106 Checks totalling $390,172.81

* Resolution 43-2017 City is funding up to 17 additional bus shelters and plan to install them in the coming 2 years. A grant was received.

* Chairperson Squadroni was absent

* Councilman Oliver Davis - Noted South Bend Tribune made an error stating Transpo did not make the amount asked for which contributed to the County's $5.8M healthcare shortfall. Transpo paid the amount asked.
    General Manager Cangany noted being self-insured has been difficult since there are 3 claims that are now over $200K each.

* Councilman Oliver Davis asked about LOCKED RESTROOMS. General Manager Cangany responded it is NOT the policy to only offer restrooms to those with tickets. He further stated that would be difficult since people who pay cash wouldn't have a ticket.
NOTE: Just before the meeting at 3 pm when I was at the South Street Station people were complaining the restrooms were locked and they were told they would be open until 4pm. (Buses run much later) 
General Manager Cangany commented no loitering is allowed. 

* There has been an uptick in vandalism, such as sinks and toilet paper holdrs being pulled off. Both intoxicated people and drug para. left behind continues to be an issue. There is less when SBPD are available on site from 3pm to 9pm.
     Regular security service is on duty until 3 pm. It was suggested perhaps they could hire more security from other police departments like Mishawaka or even Niles.

NOTE: Since my phone calls were not returned by General Manager Cangany, I took the opportunity to address the Board during the Open Portion of the Meeting.
During the study of the Transpo Budget I learned that each Access trip costs $34 and only $2 is paid by the rider since under Federal Law they can only charge twice the normal fare. This means every time an Access trip is made there is a $32 LOSS. 318 trips a day x $32/trip loss = $10,176 PER DAY LOSS
The City of LaPorte only pays $16.50 per trip and the balance is subsidized. If Transpo were to change their buses to PROPANE /  CNG Fueling, that would mean Transpo would only lose $15.50 per trip instead of the current $32. This would cut the loss per trip IN HALF. (-$4,929/Day instead of -$10,176/Day)
Tom MacLennon, Director of Public Transportation City of LaPorte, said they have 7 vehicles just like our Access Buses they converted to Propane 4 years ago. Transpo has 60 in their fleet, so this would be a HUGE savings. They got their bus engines converted at a business in Elkhart. They noticed less maintenance compared to Diesel Fuel. Propane burns clean. 
INDOT has propane fueling stations that sell it for $0.60/gallon. They lease a tank and fueling pump which is $0.41/gallon. On average they paid $1.25 to $1.73 / gallon which is cheaper than diesel and cleaner burning.
FURTHER:  What if this were done for the SOUTH BEND SCHOOL CORPORATION? What kind of savings would there be?

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